Thieves slip on jewellery store floor during raid

CCTV has captured a gang of thieves falling over on a polished floor after ram-raiding a jewellers with a stolen Mercedes. Security cameras at Gem Jewellers in Station Street East, Coventry, show the silver car – which was stolen and had false number plates - smash through the glass shop front before four masked men raid display cabinets full of gold jewellery. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZmmuQvRdD4 During the raid, which happened at around 5:20pm on Thursday January 29, the thieves used axes to smash the cabinets and can be seen stuffing jewellery into canvas bags before a fogging security system prompts them to flee. The four men are said to have escaped in a stole white Audi A3 Sport TDI, which police claim sped across the A44 and towards Bell Green in the Wood End area of Coventry. Although the men were masked and dressed in dark clothing, detectives still believe people will be able to name the men in the footage from their distinctive walks combined with possible boasts about their new-found wealth. Lee Buckler, detective constable and investigating officer at West Midlands Police, said: “This was an audacious raid carried out just as rush hour traffic will have been starting to build and there were lots of witnesses. "The raiders were masked when they committed the crime, but having stolen hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of Indian gold jewellery, their new found wealth combined with their unique floor moves will undoubtedly give them away.” Con Buckler, detective added: “Some may think this is was a victimless crime but I want people to be under no illusion. "These are dangerous and desperate men who threatened to shoot a man who was passing the store at the time they raided it. The driver of the getaway car also drove dangerously through the streets of Coventry to escape the scene. These men definitely deserve to be behind bars." The owner of the shop was in the store at the time but was physically unharmed. Anyone with information has been urged to contact police on 101 or call anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.